Image forming apparatus with section-based management function

Abstract

If an input number exceeds a section remaining number, an image forming apparatus executes a processing of displaying a warning notifying that the input number exceeds the section remaining number. If a rounding off processing is possible, the input number is changed to be within the section remaining number and the set number is automatically reduced. As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of giving an alarm or automatically changing a set number into a possible number of prints if the set number exceeds the possible number of prints upon setting is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a device for making prints from a plurality of print jobs;   a first memory for storing the plurality of print jobs;   a second memory for storing a maximum number of prints;   means for inputting a number of prints of a new print job into said first memory;   means for calculating a section remaining number generated from the maximum number, a number of prints already made and the plurality of print jobs stored in the first memory;   means for comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   warning means for giving a warning in response to a result of comparison by said comparator means if the input number exceeds the section remaining number.   
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of lobs stored in said first memory includes a job under execution and a job waiting to be printed. 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising means for canceling the job waiting to be printed. 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim l, further comprising means for displaying the section remaining number. 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising control means for executing said comparing means and said warning means only if a section management mode is selected. 
     
     
       6. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for executing operation of said comparing means for each section if a section management mode for managing a plurality of sections is selected. 
     
     
       7. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said device for making prints makes prints of a plurality of document sheets, said calculating means has a counter for counting the number of the document sheets, and calculates said section remaining number based on a result of counting by said counter and a result of input by said inputting means.   
     
     
       8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a device for making prints from a plurality of print jobs;   a first memory for storing the plurality of print jobs;   a second memory for storing a maximum number of prints;   means for inputting a number of prints of a new print job into the first memory;   calculator means for calculating a section remaining number generated from the maximum number, a number of prints already made and the plurality of print jobs stored in the first memory;   comparator means for comparing the section remaining number and the input number; and   means for changing the plurality of print jobs in the first memory if the input number is larger than the section remaining number.   
     
     
       9. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising means for canceling input of one of the first memory and the inputting means. 
     
     
       10. An image forming apparatus comprising: a device for making prints from a plurality of print jobs;   a first memory for storing the plurality of print jobs;   a second memory for storing a maximum number of prints;   means for inputting a number of prints of a new print job into the first memory;   means for calculating a section remaining number generated from the maximum number, a number of prints already made and the plurality of print jobs stored in response to the input by the input means; and   means for indicating the section remaining number calculated by the calculator means.   
     
     
       11. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for canceling a job waiting to be printed. 
     
     
       12. The image forming apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising: means for comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   means for giving a warning in response to a result of comparison by the comparator means.   
     
     
       13. An image forming method of an apparatus comprising the steps of: inputting a number of prints of a new job;   calculating a section remaining number from a predetermined maximum number and a number of prints already made;   comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   issuing a response from the apparatus to a result of comparing step.   
     
     
       14. The image forming method of claim 13, wherein the response comprises a warning if the input number exceeds the section remaining number. 
     
     
       15. The image forming method of claim 13, further comprising the step of executing the new job if the input number does not exceed the section remaining number. 
     
     
       16. An image forming system comprising: a print device for making prints in response to a job request;   an input device for inputting a number of prints of a new job;   a calculator for calculating a section remaining number from a predetermined maximum number and a number of prints already made;   a comparator for comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   a warning device for issuing a warning in response to a result of the comparison.   
     
     
       17. The image forming method of claim 16, wherein the warning device issues the warning if the input number exceeds the section remaining number. 
     
     
       18. An image forming method of an apparatus comprising the steps of: inputting a number of prints of a new job;   calculating a section remaining number from a predetermined maximum number and a number of prints already made;   comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   changing the input print job by the apparatus in response to a result of the comparing step.   
     
     
       19. The image forming method claim 18, wherein the input number is changed if the input number exceeds the section remaining number. 
     
     
       20. An image forming system comprising: a print device for making prints in response to a job request for a new job;   an input device for inputting a number of prints of the new job;   a calculator for calculating a section remaining number from a predetermined maximum number and a number of prints already made;   a comparator for comparing the section remaining number with the input number; and   a changing device for changing the new job in response to a result of the comparator.   
     
     
       21. The image forming system of claim 20, wherein the changing device changes the new job if the input number exceeds the section remaining number.